Student-Athlete of the Week – Miranda Lopez
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Our latest student-athlete of the week is senior singles player Miranda Lopez from Rancho Mirage high school tennis.
“I played with my dad a couple times, and I liked it, so I thought, 'I'll do it at my school,'" Lopez said. "I don't know, it felt natural for me.”
Lopez said she struggled to find a sport she enjoyed playing, and felt like she was "good" at. But all of that changed when she decided to try tennis her freshman year at Rancho Mirage. That decision led to four years in the sport, with her serving at co-captain for the Rattlers this season.
“She has tremendous forehands and serves," head coach Laura Hicks said. "I mean, she can really get the ball going, and she also just has a very calm demeanor. She doesn't let some of her unforced errors get to her.”
After playing doubles her freshman year, Lopez moved to singles. Since then, she feels she's found her place on the court.
“I actually found that I didn't like sharing the court," Lopez laughed. "I wanted to play more, so I wanted to become singles...A lot of girls, joining a sport will join with their friends and stuff, but I kind of just joined for the sport. It's the sport that keeps me coming back.”
Lopez has made an impression with her coaches and teammates, and it's not just because of her match play. She fills her schedule with school and extracurriculars, working to reach her goals.
“I always try to take honors and AP classes, particularly English and math," Lopez said. "I [am a part of] the Women's Empowerment Club. I'm a part of Earth Club, Club MEChA and this club called Best Buddies.”
“She is a great role model for the girls," Hicks said. "I've seen her grow tremendously by just seeing how she has such a great head on her shoulders. She keeps track of her work, she's great with her teachers and communication all.”
With graduation in the spring, Lopez said she is still working to determine what's next.
“I want to go to a UC. So, I think I'm looking at UCSD, like San Diego or UCLA, UC Santa Barbara," Lopez said. "I think I'll play tennis for fun. I don't think I'll join any team in particular or like for the school…but I know that I want to be a psychiatrist.”
If you know a local senior who should be our next student-athlete of the week, please reach out to share@kesq.com to submit a nomination.
The student-athlete of the week segment airs every Tuesday throughout the schoolyear on KESQ News Channel 3.
